Herein lies the reality that makes all of this quite messy to deal with. It wasn’t just anyone who left MySpace to go to Facebook. In fact, if we want to get to the crux of what unfolded, we might as well face an uncomfortable reality... What happened was modern day “white flight.” Whites were more likely to leave or choose Facebook. The educated were more likely to leave or choose Facebook. Those from wealthier backgrounds were more likely to leave or choose Facebook. Those from the suburbs were more likely to leave or choose Facebook. Those who deserted MySpace did so by “choice” but their decision to do so was wrapped up in their connections to others, in their belief that a more peaceful, quiet, less-public space would be more idyllic.

Danah continued:

MySpace has become the “ghetto” of the digital landscape. The people there are more likely to be brown or black and to have a set of values that terrifies white society. And many of us have habitually crossed the street to avoid what is seen as the riff-raff.

The fact that digital migration is revealing the same social patterns as urban white flight should send warning signals to everyone out there.

HIV/AIDS is a worsening public health crisis among African Americans and other people of color. Although the federal government is giving this epidemic more attention than it has received in years, it is critical that this event be more successful than ever.

Fields added:

We are issuing a national call to action in response to the alarming data that has come out about HIV/AIDS in the United States.

The AIDS epidemic in Washington DC is an unmitigated disaster and a national disgrace.

In the capital of the world’s richest and most powerful country, HIV prevalence is higher than in Port-au-Prince, the capital of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. HIV prevalence among Black men in Washington is 40% higher than in sub-Saharan Africa generally. Infection levels among all Blacks in the District of Columbia are higher than in 28 African countries.

Rev. Butts outlined the black church’s response to the AIDS epidemic. He noted that in the 111th Congress, Rep. Charles B. Rangel will introduce the National HIV/AIDS Elimination Act, which would formally declare HIV/AIDS in the African American community a public health emergency.

The last few days have brought the debate over health care close to home. Fortunately, Milton is covered by Medicare and a supplemental policy so he can focus on his recovery. But for many Americans, a major illness would ruin their health, their credit rating, and land them in bankruptcy court.

During the second presidential debate, Tom Brokaw asked, “Is health care in America a privilege, a right, or a responsibility?”

Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s responses were fundamentally different. While McCain said access to affordable health care is a “responsibility,” Obama said it is a “right”:

Well, I think it should be a right for every American. In a country as wealthy as ours, for us to have people who are going bankrupt because they can't pay their medical bills….

African Americans are disproportionately without health coverage. Over 25 percent of black men under age 65 are uninsured, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. By contrast, 16 percent of their white counterparts lack health coverage.

The study concludes:

African American men have the highest death rate of all racial/ethnic groups, male or female. The poorer health and health care indices of African American men have consequences for African American families and the nation’s economy. High rates of incarceration, and unemployment, and low levels of college graduation rates negatively affect their quality of life as well as access to health coverage and quality care. Efforts to improve the health of African American men need to consider improving health coverage and care, as well as social factors that affect health.